Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making

Topics: Keeping Jumprings Closed

Q.

When I close my jumprings they won't close enough to keep from letting the other jumpring slide out and have the piece come apart. The space is very small, only enough for my fingernail. I use the tool I purchased from you that looks like a ring and fits on the finger.

- Sharon

A.

Below are a few helpful tips to keep your jumprings closed.

The first is to check the strength of the jumpring, when compared to the weight or the pressure the jewelry is putting on it. Jumprings of lighter gauges (20-gauge and higher) should be reserved for more delicate jewelry and lightweight components. Sturdier gauges (18-gauge and lower) can bear the weight of heavier beads and designs using large gemstone or metal beads. (Remember, the lower the number of the gauge the heavier the wire).

Second, check that the jumprings are being opened and shut properly: with a twist, not a pull. Jumprings that have been pulled apart to open, rather than twisted, are difficult to reclose snugly.

Finally, if jumprings just aren't fitting together snugly no matter how much you try to bend them back and forth, you can try the loop-closing pliers to close the jumpring tightly.

Once the jumpring is closed, adding a drop of instant glue to the seam provides additional security. The only way to permanently secure jumprings is to solder them together. Some jumprings are already soldered closed; others are solder filled and can be soldered closed with the use of a butane torch. You might also consider using split rings (think of key rings) which are very secure. If you choose to go with split rings, be sure to check out the split ring pliers which make it easier to incorporate split rings into your jewelry designs as well as the how-to video for using split ring pliers.